Ok, I have a meeting in LESS THAN 2 HOURS with a local banquet hall. She "may" be interested in renting me her kitchen, and also wants to discuss the possibility of a cake arrangement for receptions - she doesn't currently offer that.

I am FREAKED OUT. I'm only 2 weeks into deciding this would be a good idea, and having talked to the inspector earlier this week... if today goes well, we meet with him on Monday or Tuesday, I have my license in the mail Thursday or Friday NEXT WEEK.

My brain is shut off.. any recommendations on things to discuss, questions to ask... eeek.. I need to chill, and I need to go get ready! I made a little 6" "thank you"/bribe cake to bring along!

Any words of advice / encouragement?

I don't have a lot of advice as far as what questions to ask but congrats to you and good luck today! You'll do great. Sometimes change is scary (it is to me!) but this is a wonderful opportunity for you. Go for it!

Good luck!!! I would be super nervous, as well!! You'll be fine and just BREATHE!
Best of luck and CONGRATULATIONS!

Take a deep breath.. and jump in. This could be a great opportunity for you and worse comes to worst.. you can stop at anytime. Your cakes are great and you will do well. Not many have this great of an opportunity right off the bat.. so take it and run with it. We'll be here to help you out along the way. Congratulations!!!! I hope that the meeting goes well and I can't wait to hear about it.

I don't have any advice since I only make cakes for family b-days but I just wanted to say good luck and I hope everything goes well. GOOD LUCK!

I just wanted to wish you GOOD LUCK!!!! I hope everything goes well for you. It sounds like a great opportunity. Just remember to have confidence and do not agree to anything that your gut tells you not to. This could be a great chance for you to make a living out of your cake decorating especially if she's thinking of recommending you as the onsite decorator for the receptions. I love hearing about everyone's stories. I hope to one day be legal and have the opportunity to make a living doing something I love.
Relax....take a deep breath....and focus on your dreams. They may just be coming true!!! Have a great day!

Take a deep breath and pat yourself on the back for getting this far!!!!!

I have never rented a kitchen, so I am not a lot of help in that area, but I have worked out deals with caterers before. Find out if you will be talking to the brides/clients directly or if they will take orders. I also would ask about payment -- will the bride be paying them a package price or paying you separately for the cake. If it is a package, when will they pay you? Sometimes they want to pay only once a month or something like that.

If I were going to rent a kitchen, I would definitely want to know how I was going to store my things and if someone else would have access to my stuff.

I am so excited for you!! I hope this works out!

How exciting I can't offer much advice other than just believe in yourself and even if you are nervous act like it is just another day. Your confidence will win them over. Good luck!

OH MY LORD!!!!

I HAVE A FREAKING LICENSED KITCHEN TO RENT!!!

I can't even begin to describe how well it went. INSANELY so. She loved the bribe cake, she loved my photos, we got along SO well - crazy amounts of ideas being tossed.. the kitchen is HUGE, the ballroom.. oh my god. Gorgeous! It doesn't look like even a hotel/convention hall, it looks like it was made specifically for weddings! Brand new, too - they opened this year!

She already has a bride in mind for me!! She has someone doing a camo wedding, with orange flowers "just like the ones I used in the photo"... and who is havng a hard time finding a good cake maker. AWESOME! I think we'll be referring each other a ton of business. I'm so excited about this place. She also said that SHE feels like we're such a good match, that things were "just meant to be" as far as us meeting - we only met because I got tired of waiting for a return call from the other reception place, the one where I've dealt with the owner before!!

It's a bit more expensive than I anticipated - $20/hour.. but she's willing to cut me a deal on that until I'm doing more than 1 cake per weekend. I'll also be able to work much faster there, given the space, the ovens, etc.

I need to figure out the differences between baking in my home oven and baking in her convection oven. She told me that it will bake REALLY fast, and I should watch closely. I'm going to need to buy second sets of my pans to be more efficient.

It goes beyond that into other aspects of my pre-existing business - she wants to hire me for florals, we'll be doing referrals with each other AND she wants me to get on board for planning a wedding show she's going to do in February. HELL YA!

ALSO, we're gonna co-host tasting nights at the facility. She'll have her champagne fountain out and all. WOOO!!

The inspector will meet with us Monday or Tuesday, I'll be licensed by the end of the week!!! HOLY ^%$^%$#!!!!!

Gonna do some celebrating tonight.

Congratulations on everything!!!
I'm so glad to hear all the good news!

WOW....sounds like it was meant to be. So excited for you. From what you said, your business should take off pretty quick. Good luck!